While you might have heard of housing insulation before, you might not know exactly what it is. Insulation is a useful material, implemented in houses to help them to stay warm. Find out more about the importance of insulation for residential properties in this article from North East Insulation Services.
What is insulation?
Made of a singular material or a mixture of many materials, insulation is used to keep heat inside of homes. Insulation is designed to improve energy efficiency inside of a property, helping to keep both costs low and homes warm.
Many materials have come and gone as types of insulation, including carcinogenic asbestos, but today popular types of materials used for insulation include:
Fibreglass
Mineral wool
Polyurethane
Cellulose
The Types of Insulation Available
If you’re considering contacting an insulation contractor, it can be helpful to know more about the different types of insulation available to you beforehand. In this section, we’ll explore three popular types of insulation available to UK homeowners.
Solid Wall Insulation
Most properties built before 1920 will have solid walls, which can seem daunting to insulate. Luckily, solid wall insulation is designed for these properties and is perfect for keeping heat inside your home during the colder months.
There are two types of solid wall insulation available to homeowners in the UK. This allows them to find the right type of housing insulation for their building and personal preferences, which we will explore in the section below. Read on to find out more.
Internal Wall Insulation
Placed inside your home, internal wall insulation is a form of solid wall insulation that is placed inside of your property. The barrier it creates reduces overall heat loss, which helps your home retain heat for longer and therefore lessens the need to use your home heating.
External Wall Insulation
As an alternative to internal wall insulation, external wall insulation refers to the process of affixing insulation material to the property’s exterior, rather than its interior. It’s important to note that external wall insulation will alter the external appearance of your home, however, so it’s important to seek permission from the relevant authorities before work begins if you need to do so.
Cavity Wall Insulation
Cavities refer to the space between your inner and outer walls, originally designed to prevent moisture from entering the property. The precious gap between the walls can be filled, however, with insulation, allowing you to keep your home warmer for longer by preventing the warm air from simply circulating in empty space.
Cavity wall insulation has the particular advantage of not altering your home’s appearance, as the insulation is installed between two existing walls out of sight. Typically, in existing homes, the insulation is blown into the walls through small openings.
Roof and Loft Insulation
Perfect for accessible lofts, roof insulation is designed to trap warm air and prevent it from escaping your property. Rolls of insulation will be laid between the beams of your loft by an insulation contractor. Multiple types of insulation materials are available today, however the most appropriate type will typically be chosen for your home and your needs. Generally, the type of insulation you need will depend on the type of roof or loft that you have attached to your home, so choosing the services of specialists can save you from heartache.
The Benefits of Insulation
Still unconvinced about the implementation of insulation into your home? There are many benefits to its use, which can be found below. Read on to find out why you should consider housing insulation today.
Government Funding
In some cases, you might be eligible to have your insulation installation funded either fully or partially, depending on your circumstances. Government funding is possible under the Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) scheme, which is designed to help those living in the UK reduce their energy bills with the help of insulation. From partial cavity insulation grants to full-funded solid wall insulation, there are many funding options available for those eligible.
You might get support from the ECO4 scheme if your home:
Has an EPC rating of D to G
Is in Council Tax bands A-D in England or A-E in Scotland and Wales
Many different types of insulation are available under this scheme too, meaning you should be presented with an option that works for you and your home. Each type of insulation explored in this article can be funded by the government, making it worthwhile to learn whether you’re eligible for a grant.
Helping You to Stay Healthy
Looking after your home and your family is important. If you live in continuously cold conditions, this can have an impact on your health and well-being. Certain health conditions can be made worse by living in a cold home, including circulatory problems and mental health conditions. Thankfully, insulation can be used to keep your home warmer for longer.
Lower Energy Bills
As the cost of living increases steadily, juggling bills and payments can become an overwhelming worry. Reducing your usage is often the best way to keep these costs low, particularly when paired with swapping energy providers. Thankfully, introducing insulation into your home is a fantastic way to keep your bills down, as you’re less likely to lose the warmth that your heating provides.
Decreased Environmental Impact
With insulation comes reduced energy consumption, and with reduced energy consumption comes a decrease in a home’s environmental impact. As you use less energy to keep your home consistently warm with insulation, your carbon footprint is reduced. With insulation, you can keep your home warm and protect the planet all at the same time.
Improved Temperature Regulation
It can be frustrating to live in a home that swings between extremes in temperature. While you sweat inside in the summer, you freeze consistently in the winter, making your home far from the comfortable sanctuary it should be. Thankfully, insulation can help regulate the temperature inside of your home, helping to keep it the perfect temperature all year around.
Increased Property Value
Should you wish to sell your home at some point in the future, it’s best to plan ahead for this eventuality. Insulation is a worthwhile investment in this regard, as many potential buyers are on the hunt for homes that are readily equipped with the things they need to live comfortably in that environment.
Our Services in Sunderland
At North East Insulation Services, we believe that living costs should be affordable for all. That’s why we draw on government schemes to provide those in vulnerable situations with the home improvements they need, from housing insulation to gas boiler replacements.
Housing Insulation
Reducing household energy costs with insulation shouldn’t be expensive in itself. At North East Insulation Services, we help to provide those eligible for funding with home insulation suited to their needs, whether it might be insulation for lofts or solid walls.
Check Your Eligibility Today
If your home could benefit from reduced energy costs, please check your eligibility for free housing insulation at North East Insulation Services today. For further information and guidance, please don’t hesitate to get in touch directly today. You can also visit our website to learn more about us and our other services.
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